Seed potato cutter



E. MARTIN SEED POTATO CUTTER Filed Oct. '10, 1940 Edward Patented Oct.7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEED POTATO CUTTER Edward Martin,Ooonomowoc, Wis. Application October 10, 1940, Serial No. 360,651

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a cutter primarily for seed potatoes and itaims to provide a novel construction which will permit the cutting ofsmall potatoes or large sized Idaho type potatoes, a construction whichis simple and relatively inexpensive, one which is foldable so as tooccupy minimum space when not in use, one which 'is effectively bracedand stable at opposite ends of the cutting means, and a constructionwhich is generally improved as will more specifically appearhereinafter.

One operative embodiment is illustrated in accompanying drawing,wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a substantially central longitudinal vertical sectionalview;

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan particularly looking upon the cuttingmeans, and

Figure 5 is an inverted plan View particularly showing the press block.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts, the device is generally made in theform of a stand having a top or table as at IU of any suitable size andshape. Said table is supported by leg structures ll, adjacent oppositeends, such structures having cross battens |2 to which and the top In,hinges l3 are connected. These structures II also have cross battens atM to which inclined braces l5 are bolted as at I6 and which braces arealso bolted as at I1 to the top l0. It will be realized that the bracesl5 may be removed or detached at one end, to

enable the leg structures II to be folded relatively fiat against thetop H1 in order that the structure will occupy minimum space whenshipped or stored, especially between planting seasons.

Said top H has an opening I8 therethrough and also has kerfs l9extending downwardly from the top on opposite sides of the opening l8and another kerf at 20 extending longitudinally of the top from one endof said opening l8. Secured friction tight or in any suitable manner inthe kerfs l9, are transverse cutter blades 2|, three of which are joinedby a longitudinal cutterf blade 22, having an end anchored frictiontight or otherwise in the kerf 20. The cutter blades 2| and 22 arepreferably made of stainless steel. The potato to be cut is adapted tobe disposed over the blades 2| in the most advantageous positionaccording to the number and size of the pieces into which it is to beout.

A lever 23 is pivoted at 24 to a U-shaped mounting 25 fastened as at 26to the top l0. Such lever is urged upwardly at its rear end by means ofan expansive coil spring 2'1 bearing against the under surface thereofand anchored in a recess 28 in the top l0. At the rear end, lever 23carries a press block 29 and the lower surface thereof is provided withgrooves at 30 and 3|, to match the blades 2| and 22, respectively,although being relatively wide with respect to such blades.

An operating handle is provided at 32, and

said operating handle 32, lever 23 and block 29 are secured together bycommon screws or other fastenings as at 33.

In the operation of the machine, potatoes with one hand areadvantageously positioned over the blades 2| and 22 while the other handdepresses the lever 23 and causes block 29 to engage the potatoes andpress them against the blades 2| and 22 and through the spacestherebetween and space I8, falling into 'a suitable receptacle disposedbeneath the opening l8. Following such operation, the spring 21 willrestore the lever 23, block 29 and handle 32 to raised positionpreparatory to cutting the succeeding seed potato. It will beparticularly noted that the upper ends of the braces l5 are relativelyclose to the opening l8 and hence the structure is efiectively bracedand rendered relatively rigid, at opposite ends of the zone of cutting.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

A cutter of the class described having a table provided with an opening,kerfs adjacent the opening, cutter blades secured in the kerfs andcrossing the opening, a U-shaped bracket rising from the table, a leverextending into and pivoted to the bracket, a block carried by the leverto press potatoes against the blades, a handle, fastenings common to theblock, lever and handle, spring means between the table and lever urgingthe latter and block away from the blades, foldable leg means pivoted tothe underside of the table, and displaceable brace means for the legmeans secured to the table in downwardly diverging relation adjacentopposite ends of the opening, to reinforce cutting.

EDWARD MARTIN.

the table at the zone of

